A COUPLE out for an evening walk beside the River Ouse have been viciously assaulted by a gang of teenage thugs at a notorious street drinking hotspot.

Less than 24 hours after the Evening Press investigated drunken street yobbery, a 58-year-old man was struck with a heavy object in Terry Avenue, outside Rowntree Park, in an unprovoked attack.

Police said the man was attempting to walk through a mob of five youths, some of whom are believed to have been drinking, when he was attacked from behind without warning.

PC Craig Durkin, of York Police, said officers now want to trace anyone who may have seen a gang of young teenagers dressed in sports clothes and baseball caps in the area on Saturday night.

He said: "We are asking anyone who may have seen the assault or a gang of youths in this area to come forward.

The middle-aged couple are both very shocked and upset by this attack."

An Evening Press investigation yesterday revealed how police believe increasing numbers of underage drinkers in the city are responsible for disorder, vandalism and even violence.

Almost exactly 24 hours before the couple were attacked on Saturday, we saw a small group of teenagers, two of whom were aged just 15, drinking lager at the same riverside spot.

PC Durkin said the couple came across the group of unruly youngsters blocking the road at about 10pm.

As they attempted to walk between the gang, which included four boys and one girl, the man was hit over the head with an unknown object, knocking him to the ground.

When the man remonstrated with the gang, they threatened him and his wife with further violence before walking away towards Skeldergate Bridge.

The man was taken to York Hospital by ambulance where he received several stitches to a wound above his eye and treatment for other minor injuries.

Anyone with information should phone the York Police witness line on 01904 669884.

Updated: 13:50 Tuesday, July 06, 2004